Uncertainty is paramount for the new year. Weak economic fundamentals, terrorism, political uncertainty, and unusual weather add to the list of factors that are likely to be stressors.
Everyone seems to have an opinion about the future. But prediction is as much art as science, and history has proven most prognosticators wrong in content and/or timing. Uncertainty tends to create apprehension, trepidation, anxiety, and fear.
Most current economic risks are the cumulative result of questionable decision-making for years. The Federal Reserve pursued a near zero interest rate policy for seven years which has arguably encouraged speculation. Many believe that stock and bond prices are bubbles which will burst.
Companies have gone into debt, at very low interest rates, to buy their own stock back instead of investing in research, development, and equipment. Europe is currently experimenting with negative interest rates. Controls on cash will follow. U.S. and global debt is unsustainable. The debt has been building for years. China is a risk to the global economy.
Citizens of the kingdom must have a last-days attitude. Events will conspire to capture our attention and create anxiety and fear. The Scriptures teach of perilous times in the world. But, we are not of the world. We serve the King of Kings and He is in control. Our role to is be faithful, obedient to the Word, and obedient to the Holy Spirit.
Know this: In the last days perilous times will come. Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, slanderers, unrestrained, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Turn away from such people. (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
But all is not despair. In the last days we will see the greatest revival in the history of the world. The end-time latter rain will be the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit ever. In Israel, the early rain began in late October and was typically steady but not particularly heavy. The early rain is prophetically symbolic of Pentecost. The latter (or harvest) rain would begin in later March or April and would often be a downpour; symbolically prophetic of the great latter days revival.
"Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Notice how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until he receives the early and late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is drawing near" (James 5:7-8, MEV). (See also Joel 2).
We are a chosen generation with a role to play in this revival. Unfortunately, uncertainty can create anxiety and fear, which can lead to timidity. The last days are not a time to be timid. It is a time to be bold in following the direction of the Holy Spirit.
We must confirm His life-changing power by a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit and demonstrate His power over the world with the gifts of the Spirit. When many are shrinking back, our calling is to be lights to the world in love, compassion, and power. We need to have a last-days attitude.
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self-control" (2 Tim. 1:7, MEV).
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14, MEV). 
Dr. James R. Russell is professor of economics and chair of the Undergraduate College of Business at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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